# Fielding · Baseball Level 2: Elementary

Baseball · Level 2: Elementary · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/baseball/level-2/fielding/)

Infield angles, backhands and forehands, the double play, bunt defence, the outfielder's first step, the wall, gap balls and dives, sun, wind and lights, the catcher's defence and fielding drills.

## Test 1: Infield angles and the first step

- A small move as the ball reaches the plate gets the body ready to react. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Taking an angle forward to cut the ball off saves time and steps. (Source: General baseball reference)
- The crossover step starts a fast run to either side. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Fielding while moving forward flows straight into the throw. (Source: General baseball reference)
- After the catch, the hands funnel the ball to the chest for the throw. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Weight forward lets him break quickly in any direction. (Source: General baseball reference)
- The angle of the bat through the zone hints where the ball will go. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Hop, first step, field, funnel and throw. (Source: General baseball reference)
- The farther the ball is from him, the longer the angle he must take. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Crossing one leg over the other starts a sideways sprint. (Source: General baseball reference)

## Test 2: Backhand and forehand

- For a right-hander the backhand side is his right. (Source: General baseball reference)
- If he cannot get his body in front of the ball, he reaches across with the backhand. (Source: General baseball reference)
- His momentum carries him towards left field while the throw must go to first. (Source: General baseball reference)
- The forehand side is the glove side. (Source: General baseball reference)
- The glove meets the ball in front of the front foot with the pocket facing it. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Rising too early lets the ball skip under the glove. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Backhands are rare but difficult, so they need a lot of practice. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Crossover, backhand, plant, throw. (Source: General baseball reference)
- The deep backhand is the hardest play of the three. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Reaching to the throwing side with the glove turned is a backhand. (Source: General baseball reference)

## Test 3: Turning the double play

- Turning two means getting two outs on one play. (Source: General baseball reference)
- He adjusts to the feed and to the runner sliding in. (Source: General baseball reference)
- A quick throw and step clear protects him from the slide. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Coming across from the right side, the second baseman cannot see the runner. (Source: General baseball reference)
- A hard grounder near second gives the most time for two throws. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Playing closer to second gives them time to turn the play. (Source: General baseball reference)
- The pivot is the middle man's catch and turn at second. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Second baseman to shortstop to first baseman. (Source: General baseball reference)
- One, two and three outs. (Source: General baseball reference)
- The pivot man throws to first and gets clear of the slide. (Source: General baseball reference)

## Test 4: Bunt defence for the corners

- The third baseman charges bunts on his side of the field. (Source: General baseball reference)
- The second baseman slides over to cover first. (Source: General baseball reference)
- The catcher sees the whole field and often calls which base to throw to. (Source: General baseball reference)
- A loud call such as 'one!' or 'two!' directs the throw. (Source: General baseball reference)
- A fast pick-up gives a chance to get the runner going to second or third. (Source: General baseball reference)
- The corners charge and the middle infielders rotate to cover the bases. (Source: General baseball reference)
- A bunt that rolls foul untouched is just a strike. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Charge, cover, field and throw. (Source: General baseball reference)
- A hard bunt to the pitcher is easiest to throw to second. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Corner infielders charge, or crash, when they expect a bunt. (Source: General baseball reference)

## Test 5: The outfielder's first step

- With no sideways movement to see, the eye struggles to tell whether it will fall short or carry. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Reading the sound and angle off the bat gives the first step. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Running on the heels jars the head and makes the ball seem to bounce. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Curving lets him reach the ball moving towards the infield for the throw. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Positioning depends on the batter's tendencies and the situation. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Running with the glove raised slows him down. (Source: General baseball reference)
- A team-mate behind can stop a missed ball rolling to the wall. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Drop step, run, find, catch. (Source: General baseball reference)
- A liner straight at him is hard to judge; a knuckling liner under lights is the hardest. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Opening the hips first lets him turn and run instead of back-pedalling. (Source: General baseball reference)

## Test 6: Playing the wall

- A hand on the wall tells him where he is without taking his eyes off the ball. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Knowing how a ball comes off the wall lets them get to it faster. (Source: General baseball reference)
- An outfielder leaps and pulls back a ball that would have cleared the fence. (Source: General baseball reference)
- A quick retrieve and throw to the relay can stop extra bases. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Padding reduces injuries when fielders crash into the wall. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Playing the carom safely limits the hit to a double. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Corners send balls in unexpected directions. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Run, find the wall, time the jump, catch. (Source: General baseball reference)
- The corner gives the strangest bounces. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Reaching over the fence can take away a home run. (Source: General baseball reference)

## Test 7: Gap balls and diving decisions

- A failed dive can turn a single into extra bases. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Late in a close game a ball rolling past him can cost the game. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Holding a hit to a single stops runners from moving up two bases. (Source: General baseball reference)
- The centre fielder has priority over the corner outfielders. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Sliding under a sinking ball keeps it in front if he misses. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Good technique protects shoulders and the head. (Source: General baseball reference)
- A tweener drops in the gap between fielders. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Call, back up, cut it off, relay. (Source: General baseball reference)
- A full dive risks the ball rolling to the wall. (Source: General baseball reference)
- The centre fielder has priority on balls in either gap. (Source: General baseball reference)

## Test 8: Fielding in sun, wind and lights

- At many parks one outfield position faces the afternoon sun. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Flip-down sunglasses and shading with the glove help track the ball. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Wind blowing in holds fly balls up and knocks them down. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Watching the grass blow shows the wind's direction. (Source: General baseball reference)
- A light-coloured roof can hide a white ball. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Between daylight and full darkness, the ball can disappear against the sky. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Shouting that he lost it lets another fielder try to make the play. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Sun, wind, glasses, position. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Low sun and gusts make fly balls hardest to judge. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Using the glove as a shield blocks the sun. (Source: General baseball reference)

## Test 9: The catcher's defence

- Getting the body in front stops the ball getting away. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Angling the chest keeps the rebound in front of him. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Quiet, soft receiving helps borderline pitches be called strikes. (Source: General baseball reference)
- With runners on he needs a stance ready to throw and block. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Pop-ups behind the plate drift back towards the infield, so he faces the backstop. (Source: General baseball reference)
- A short, quick step builds momentum towards second. (Source: General baseball reference)
- A respectful catcher can ask about the zone without upsetting the umpire. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Down, chin in, chest angled, ball in front. (Source: General baseball reference)
- The more threat of a steal, the more ready to throw. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Dropping to the knees and smothering the ball is blocking. (Source: General baseball reference)

## Test 10: Fielding drills

- Coaches hit grounders to each infielder, who throw to bases. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Fungo flies give outfielders reps at reading balls off the bat. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Short hops teach soft hands and quick reactions. (Source: General baseball reference)
- A machine or coach fires high pop-ups for catchers to track. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Correct technique comes first, then speed. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Balls off a real bat behave like game balls. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Situation drills teach each fielder's job with runners on base. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Coaches work round the bases, then home, and finish with charging plays. (Source: General baseball reference)
- From controlled rolls to real batted balls. (Source: General baseball reference)
- Grounders hit by a coach with throws to the bases is infield practice. (Source: General baseball reference)

Sources: General baseball references, WBSC and league material, coaching manuals; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered rules belong to the Rules category.

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